Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling and former Arsenal star Paul Merson have made themselves look rather foolish having been filmed discussing a potential England call-up for Bournemouth’s Harry Arter, despite the fact that he already has two caps for the Republic of Ireland.

Stelling and Merson were discussing the weekend’s Premier League fixtures including Bournemouth’s match against Watford, Stelling confessed that he wanted to talk about ‘one player in particular.’

Arter already has two caps for the Republic of Ireland, one of which came against England. (Picture: Getty)

‘I want to talk about one player in particular actually here because Gareth Southgate names his first England squad this week, and is there the remotest chance that Harry Arter could be in it and if not, why not?’ asked Stelling with a confidence clearly belied by his comical lack of knowledge.

‘Well exactly, why not? He gets on the ball, he plays, he’s a good footballer, a very very good footballer with loads of energy. Something has to change with this England squad,’ replied Merson, equally as clueless as his Soccer Saturday host.

Arter has impressed for Bournemouth this season in the Premier League but is Irish. (Picture: Getty)

‘Jack Wilshere said that Harry Arter is right up there with some of the best midfielders he’s played with and he’s played with a few hasn’t he?’ Stelling continued.

‘He’s played with some top drawer ones but it’s the problem of where these players play,” Merson added. ‘Will they get picked for England playing for those teams [like Bournemouth]?’

Skip forward to six minutes in of the clip below to see the incredulously ignorant oversight.